The Dominion THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1923. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 134, 22 February 1923, Page 6

The Dominion THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1923. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

In one of to-day's cablegrams somewhat extraordinary views on the subject of Empire policy are attributed to the Canadian Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King). Mr. King, it is asserted, declared the principle that one part of the British Empire should not interfere nor aid another in trouble unless it was itself concerned, and only to the extent to which it was affected?’ Before this is accepted as an authentic report of the Canadian Primo Minister’s statement, it may be wise to note that the cablegram in question comes from New York. It is perhaps significant, a so, that another New York cablegram to-day details some rather imaginative suggestions regarding the possibility of including ana a in the official Pan-American Union of American nations. _ Such ideas are popular in the United States, and it is probable that Pan-American enthusiasts are responsible for * distorted and exaggerated version of the statement made by the head of the Canadian Government. . . ~ It is incredible that Mr. Mackenzie King made that part of the reported statement which is quoted above. Very probably he did say that on the occasion of the Near Eastern crisis in September the Canadian Government “made it clear that, so far as Cann-ca was conceme , only Parliament itself could involve the country in , except in c case of actual invasion. , ~ .. „ This is consistent with the attitude taken up by the Canadian Government in September last. It will be remembered that the Canadian Government made no really definite reply to the British Government’s appeal for support in''the policy then being pursue in e Near East. , _ It is another matter altogether, however, to believe that Mr. i ac-. kenzie King laid down the “principle” that each country of the Empire must stand alone when in trouble. This obviously won d amount to a declaration in favour of breaking up the Empire. It is perfectly safe to assume that the Canadian Prime Ministei made no such declaration, and that the report which asserts that he did merely indicates the extent to which his observations were misunderstood by some people in the United States. It is, of course, a familiar fact that .in Canada the Impel lai relationship is not viewed from precisely the same standpoint as it is in this country. New Zealand adheres definitely to the view that the British Government speaks for the Empire in dealing with foreign affairs. The Near Eastern crisis gave sharp emphasis to the fact that the present Governments of Canada and South Africa are inclined to insist that it is for the Parliament of each Dominion to determine what course of action it shall take in an Imperial emergency. How far this attitude is consistent with’the unity of the Empire time and experience must show. It is certainly to be distinguished very clearly, however, from anything in the nature of an attack upon the unity of the Empire. Canada and South Africa are perhaps laying undue emphasis upon their rights as full partners in the Empire, and taking insufficient account of the necessity of enabling the Empire to speak with a single voice in foreign affairs. It should be remembered, however, that even in this country there is a strong and growing demand for an effective voice in the determination of Imperial foreign policy.

One effect of the more pronounced expression of this demand in Canada and South Africa is to emphasise the necessity of improving as rapidly as possible on the existing machinery and facilities for inter-Impcrial communication. Thinking people in all parts of the Empire arc agreed that practical attention and effort must be concentrated on the problem of effecting such an improvement.

The known attitude of the Canadian Government gives prominence to what is -anomalous or inadequate in the existing organisation of the Empire. Successive Canadian Governments, and the people of Canada, have made it abundantly clear, however, that their attachment to the Empire is deep-rooted and sincere. The ruling trend of national sentiment in Canada was demonstrated unmistakably in the late war. It finds definite expression also in other ways, notabiy in the trade preference granted to Great Britain, and in the refusal of the Canadian Parliament, some years ago, to ratify a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States.